Destination: 21st Amendment The Brewer's Bar

Destination: 21st Amendment The Brewer's Bar

Earlier this month Lafayette Square welcomed a new addition to the already established restaurant group of Paul and Wendy Hamilton. 21st Amendment: The Brewer’s Bar opened in the basement of 2017 Chouteau Ave. where diners can also find Vin de Set, Moulin event space, PW Pizza and The Malt House Cellar. The new bar nods to the rich brewing heritage of not only St. Louis, but also of the building itself by focusing mainly on craft beers from the region.

Image courtesy of 21st Amendment: The Brewer’s Bar

Long before the Hamiltons transformed the space at 2017 Chouteau Ave. into a restaurant hot spot, the building was home to the Schnaider Brewery. Originally designed in 1876, the building is a treasured landmark and physical link to the brewing history of St. Louis. Not wanting that lineage to be broken, the Hamiltons decided the basement was a prime location for a craft-beer bar.

A unique blend of old and new, 21st Amendment incorporates elements from the original structure with subtle modern touches. Whereas wooden beams can be dated back to 1876, much of the wood used for the bar and tables was sourced from trees on the Hamilton’s personal property. The rounded archways, wooden barrels and stone walls certainly remind guests that the space was indeed a functional part of the Schnaider Malt House more than a century ago. Yet, rather than feeling strictly industrial, 21st Amendment has cozy elements, such as the leather couches and locally crafted artwork, that warm up the space.

Behind the bar, 21st Amendment has 50 area taps lined up on a sleek stainless steel backsplash. While the majority of the handles bear the emblems of local breweries, the Hamiltons are reserving a few for far-away brews worth the space on the lineup. Beers are available in six-ounce pours or full pints on draft and there are also more than 50 varieties of bottled craft brews. While sipping on all of that beer, guests can order bar snacks, such as soft pretzels and charcuterie boards, or items from the PW Pizza menu.

Open Sunday through Thursday from 4pm to about 12pm and Friday through Saturday from 4pm to about 1am. 2017 Chouteau Ave., Lafayette Square, 314.241.6969.